Hundreds of acres of farmland on the border of Pasco and Hernando counties could soon be transformed into a sprawling wellness retreat
The project, dubbed Clay Hill, will feature a 130-key luxury resort with multiple restaurants, tennis and pickleball courts, meditation and yoga spaces, bike and kayak rentals, a sauna and a cold plunge. There will also be a chapel, an equestrian center and up to 50 high-end homes
It’s being spearheaded by Caspers Company, the Tampa firm behind the popular restaurant/bookstore/meeting space Oxford Exchange
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CEO Blake Casper said the dizzying pace of modern life has prompted more Americans to seek refuge in nature
Inspired by the success of hotels like Blackberry Mountain in Tennessee and Soho Farmhouse in the UK, he and his sister Allison Casper Adams set out to recreate that same rustic, farm-to-table vibe in Florida
“We have beaches, we have golf course resorts, we’re known for Disney,” he said. “But this kind of experience is different.”
They landed on a 550-acre site in Dade City, adorned with rolling hills and grassy fields. The property belongs to the Evans family, one of the pioneering dynasties behind Florida’s citrus industry. Any orange trees that may have once lined the land are long gone. Now it’s mainly cow pasture
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The Caspers Company hasn’t closed on the land yet. First, it will need to secure zoning approvals from both Pasco and Hernando counties
That process could lead to pushback from locals concerned about diminishing the area’s rural character
Casper said the goal is not to pave over Old Florida, but rather give more people the opportunity to enjoy it
Roughly 80% of the property will be left in its natural state, he said. Pedestrian and equestrian paths will be prioritized over car traffic. A working farm will help provide fresh ingredients for the restaurants on site. Clay Hill will also not require central water or sewer facilities from either county
Caspers Company plans to host several town halls to solicit feedback from neighbors
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The input they’ve gotten so far has been mostly positive, Casper said. People recognize that development is coming. Most of them would rather see an eco-resort over a densely packed subdivision
His firm submitted the rezoning request for Pasco this week and will submit in Hernando next. If all goes to plan, they could secure approvals in the next six months, start construction in 2028 and welcome the first guests in 2030
The Caspers rose to prominence as Florida’s largest McDonald’s franchisee
This isn’t their first foray into the world of hospitality — they own the members-only club Stovall House and The Current hotel at Rocky Point
Neither of those projects come close to the size or scope of Clay Hill
“It’s a little daunting but we think we’ve got the team to do it,” Casper said
